That metal's hot hot hot

CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. - A warning sign shows the seriousness of the oxy-acetylene torch being used in the background. The new torch was demonstrated to wing leadership Sept. 5 by the 27th Special Operations Equipment Maintenance Squadron's Fabrications Flight. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Evelyn Chavez)

Feel the burn

CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. - Staff Sgt. Justin Darland, 27th Special Operations Equipment Maintenance Squadron, gets the oxy-acetylene torch ready for a demonstration to wing leadership Sept. 5. The demonstration showed the differences between the old torch that Darland is using and the new torch, shown on the table in the foreground. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Evelyn Chavez)

Sparks fly with new torch

Published Sept. 9, 2008
By Airman 1st Class Elliott Sprehe
27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs

CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- As shards of hot, burning metal rained onto the floor, spectators, wearing alien-like protective glasses, stared intently at the light show.

Thankfully, this was not some close encounter of the third kind, but rather a display by the 27th Special Operations Equipment Maintenance Squadron and its Fabrication flight's new oxy-acetylene cutting torch.

The cutting/welding torches the squadron purchased removes some of the constraints of their current torches.

"It's user-friendly, smaller and gives a better cut," said Tech. Sgt. Aaron Burton, 27th SOEMS.

The torch also removes the need for electricity, while reducing oxygen consumption by up to 70 percent.

"With the older (torch) you need electricity for it. It uses up more oxygen," said Maj. Michelle Estes, 27th SOEMS commander. "This is a better, advanced torch."

"It produces a cleaner, narrower cut with a smaller heat affected zone making for easier machining afterward," said Burton. "The kit costs under $500 and can perform most of the same welds and cuts that more expensive plasma torches and MIG welders can."

It's also more readily deployable, as was demonstrated to Col. Timothy Leahy, 27th Special Operations Wing commander, who was one of the spectators.

"It improves the deployment capability of our AFSOC expeditionary operations," said Leahy. "It also adds an enhanced layer of safety (as the tip of the torch stays cool and can be touched immediately when shut off)."

Because the torch operates with 70 percent less oxygen than the old torch, it allows their personnel into remote locations, proving itself invaluable in events such as the crash recovery of an aircraft or operating out of a forward base with limited facilities.

"With the nature of the 27th SOW, we may be in austere locations where we might not always have the necessary facilities," said Estes, as she observed the demonstration.

"We're always looking for new technology to benefit the 27th SOW," said Estes. "When you stop doing that, you stop growing."